Reality is Reality
Silver is one of the most beautiful metals. Its name ranks way on top there with gold as a treasured item among jewellery makers. Yet did you know that even the purest of silver is not exactly pristine? On the contrary, you will find most of the silver jewellery around the world made up of sterling silver with a few added metals. Sterling silver is composed of 92.5% silver alongside a filler of 7.5% foreign metal (mostly copper). If you want to know whether the silver is sterling silver, examine the jewellery or piece of silver. It ought to have a “.925” or “925” mark on it. If these are not there look more closely since it may have an “S925” stamp or even a small written “Sterling” imprinted on it. This is known as the quality mark.
Different Strokes
Beyond this, we have the hallmark. In case these are absent, there are numerous ways in which you, the buyer, may determine whether the jewellery is sterling silver or not. Remember, the marks on the silver differ by country. France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America all have their own rules and regulations regarding silver.
Cutting-Edge Criteria
Sterling silver emits a bell-like sound upon being dropped on a metallic surface. This lasts for one to two seconds in the form of a mini-echo. Take extra precaution you do not drop the silver from too great a height since that way you will damage it. Next, you can take in the jewellery’s fragrance to see whether it is real or counterfeit. Sterling silver doesn’t have any smell of any sort. Despite the small amount of copper mixed in, it is odourless. So this is another way to determine the authenticity of the item.
Calling All Acid Tests
After this, another test you may perform is to try and bend the item slightly in your hands. Silver can be quite ductile, but know this much that sterling silver is very tensile and does not bend easily. Furthermore, silver turns a darker shade upon being exposed to the atmosphere. This is due to the oxidizing nature of the air. Take a soft textile material and gently rub the silver. If a tarnished mark is left behind on the cloth, it is sterling silver. A magnet placed directly over sterling silver will not attract the piece.
Conductivity & Corrosion
When placed in a cold bowl of ice cubes, Sterling silver becomes very frigid to the touch. This is a sign of its excellent thermal conductivity. Send your silver jewellery to a reputable person who will pour a droplet of nitric acid on it. If the ensuing colour is green, it is a fake, but it is sterling silver if it is an off-white hue.
Extreme Measures
A professional lab may prove to be the best remedy for those who still have their doubts and are not convinced easily. There the silver will undergo everything from a test by fire to penetration by an XRF gun. The former involves melting a minimal quantity of the jewellery to test its chemical composition. As for the latter, the silver is subjected to x-rays to test its mettle. Besides this, spectroscopy and a specific gravity test can be conducted. The first one determines the molecules and chemicals which go on to make the silver. The second displaces water to discover the real nature of the silver. When using this process make sure to keep the blinds Newcastle and windows of the lab open for maximum natural light and fresh air.
A Simple Way to Tell
One of the justices of whether a piece of jewellery is made of sterling silver or not is its cost price in the marketplace. Genuine sterling silver has a hefty price. That is because a lot of detailed work has gone into its making. The craftsmen who sweated day in and day out to create such a luxury item ensured that it was a precious and treasured art object. Remember, if the silver sells at too low a price, it is not the real deal. You are being deceived by con men jewellers if such is the case. By the silver jewellery cost, you will automatically know if it carries any sophistication or is a fake imitation product that is just not worth it.